Warbird Operations

Warbirds are owned and operated the world over, but the vast majority are to be found in countries that possess a strong history of general aviation. Australia is a prime example, with over 300 ex-military aircraft on the civil register. The majority of these warbirds operate under a Limited category certificate of airworthiness in accordance with CAR262AN(1). Limited category differs from Standard category in several respects, with certain restrictions placed on where and how these aircraft can be flown.

Private Operations

The majority of the warbirds in Australia are owned and operated by individuals or private syndicates; sharing them today and preserving them for future generations. These aircraft appear regularly at fly-ins and air shows across the country. For advice on how to register your Limited Category warbird with The Australian Warbirds Association, please contact AWAL’s Director of Self Administration.

Commercial Operations

In addition to private operations, many of our members fly their warbirds as part of a commercial endeavor, offering flight experiences to the general public. For advice on how to become an AWAL-approved Adventure Flight operator, please click here.

Formation Flight Operations

The Australian Warbirds Association offers Australia’s premier formation flight training environment. As a signatory body to the Formation and Safety Team (F.A.S.T.) program, AWAL’s standardized training and operations procedures are consistent with international warbird organisations. Our manual is based on RAAF, USAF and USN principles and has been developed with the assistance of our community’s most experienced pilots.

Flying as part of an effective formation is nothing less than poetry in motion. It is challenging and demanding, requiring complete commitment from all participants. Without exception, becoming an effective formation pilot means becoming a better pilot. As a bonus, it fosters camaraderie and is serious fun! AWAL schedules regular formation clinics as demand and availability dictate. To learn more about our formation program, please click here.

Air Display Operations

The Australian Warbirds Association is authorized under instruments CASA 49/16, CASA EX73/16 and CASA EX26/15 – all issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority – to evaluate and approve air display applications for Limited category aircraft.

If you are interested in applying for approval to conduct a fly-past or air display, please…

Read AWAL’s Air Display Evaluation and Approvals Manual

Complete and return the application form (Application to Conduct a Fly-Past or Application to Conduct an Air Display), as appropriate

Permit Index System

All Limited Category aircraft operating in Australia are assigned a Permit Index number, ranging from 0 to 3. The assessment process and granting of a number is specific to each aircraft, taking into account a range of factors to include configuration (original or modified), installed equipment (ie: ejection seats or external fuel), engine type, fuel capacity, stall speed, etc…

The Permit Index number assigned to an aircraft determines its ability to operate over populous areas as follows:

PI-0: No airport or populous area restrictions applicable.

PI-1: Operations from an aerodrome in a capital city may only be flown using routes approved by CASA or an authorised person (AWAL) for the purpose. The aircraft may only fly over a populous area to the least extent necessary to take off from or land at a particular aerodrome other than at a capital city. Flights over populous areas are subject to any conditions included in a written approval for the flight(s) issued by CASA or an authorised person (AWAL).

PI-2: Operations over populous areas by CASA approval only. This category also applies to any Limited Category aircraft regardless of Permit Index number while it is being flown with jettisonable fuel tanks installed.

PI-3: Operations over populous areas are prohibited.

Provision has been made within the Permit Index system for certain aircraft to obtain a lower number through a safety case.

If you have questions about the Permit Index System and how it affects your Limited Category operations, please contact AWAL’s Director of Self-Administration.